December 9, 2008Freeman and Wilma Hochstetler will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a drop-in reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Shady Lawn Gospel Chapel, located on Highway 5, 13 miles south of Mountain View.

December 9, 2008By Roger Head
Lead instructor at New Horizons Alternative Learning Center
As we move toward the end of the 2008-09 fall semester, now is a good time to bring the community up to date on some changes (past and pending) at New Horizons Alternative Learning Center.

December 9, 2008LITTLE ROCK - The State Review Board of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program nominated 12 properties in 10 Arkansas counties to the National Register of Historic Places when it met Dec. 3, AHPP Director Frances McSwain announced.

December 9, 2008Council has light agenda
The Batesville City Council has changed its December meeting from the second Tuesday to Thursday because of a bid opening Thursday for the new Westside fire station.
The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. at city hall. The agenda includes appointments to the historic district and parks commissions, a report from Public Works Engineer Damon Johnson and comments from Mayor Rick Elumbaugh. The council will also recognize outgoing members.

December 9, 2008By Andrea Bruner
Assistant Managing Editor
It's been about four years since the Gainesboro Grocery closed its doors, leaving this small community without a nearby store, but now this local landmark has re-opened.

December 9, 2008The 2nd Friday Downtown Wander and Wonder Walk continues in December with a special holiday line-up of events, activities, food, and shopping, according to Paula Grimes, executive director of Main Street Bateville.

December 9, 2008The Compassionate Friends will hold its 12th annual Worldwide Candlelighting and Memorial Tree Decorating Service at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Children's Memorial Park in Riverside Park in Batesville.
The event is held on the second Sunday in December, although the North Central Arkansas TCF chapter usually meets on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Citizens Bank Annex.

December 9, 2008After seven months of debate on how to pay for trash services the decision was made Monday night.
The Independence County Quorum Court passed an ordinance that would charge $60 per year for trash collection in the unincorporated areas of the county. County Judge Bill Hicks' office will send out quarterly statements to the residents. The ordinance passed unanimously, with justices of the peace James McLean and James Darmstaedter absent.

December 8, 2008Simpson trial
LAS VEGAS (AP) - In the harsh light of the morning after his sentencing, O.J. Simpson's future was clear Saturday. His new home will be a prison cell in the Nevada desert with his door to freedom hinging on an appeal of a trial that his lawyers say was filled with errors.

December 8, 2008Editor's note: This column ran previously in the Guard on Dec. 19, 1995.
73 YEARS AGO
Cash prizes will be awarded to Batesville homeowners participating in the annual holiday home decoration contest conducted here during the holidays by the Batesville Garden Club, Mrs. G.A. Babcock, president, has announced.